Aspire NZ Seed Fund

Aspire NZ Seed Fund

Invests alongside private leads in early-stage New Zealand technology ventures at proof-of-concept and seed stages.

Aspire NZ Seed Fund is a direct equity co-investment vehicle operated by New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP) on behalf of the New Zealand Crown. Originally established in 2006 as the Seed Co-Investment Fund (SCIF), it was rebranded Aspire in 2020. The fund invests off its own balance sheet, recycling returns into follow-on deployments, and has backed more than 260 New Zealand technology companies, with approximately 150 currently active in its portfolio. Aspire targets proof-of-concept, seed, and early expansion stages, with a preference for deep-tech-adjacent sectors including agri-tech, food-tech, clean-tech, life sciences, space, and AI/ML, though the mandate is generalist across technology.

Aspire co-invests only alongside a private lead investor and will not compete for deals independently. Ticket sizes range from approximately NZD 50,000 to NZD 100,000 at proof-of-concept stage and NZD 250,000 to NZD 500,000 at seed stage, though NZGCP states there is no formal cap on investment size beyond its portfolio construction framework and available funds. Applicants must be New Zealand-based for-profit technology companies. Sector exclusions apply: mining, property development, bricks-and-mortar retail, and financial intermediaries are not eligible. Selection criteria assess market opportunity, product differentiation, team quality, ESG factors, due diligence collaboration with co-investors, and investment return potential.

The application process begins with an online introduction form, followed by a screening committee review, due diligence conducted alongside the private co-investor, investment committee approval, legal review using Angel Association New Zealand (AANZ) template documents, and fund transfer once the matching co-investment is confirmed. NZGCP investment team members include Jacques Richter (Investment Director), Emil Schroder, Jordan Kimpton, and Sam Butler (Investment Managers). Applications are submitted via the NZGCP online portal.